Dealing with Dust

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With cold weather threatening you’re battening down the hatches. But before you seal off your home, do what you can to battle winter’s impending dust.

Check the furnace filter:  A clean filter traps dust and other toxins and cuts your energy bill by 5 to 15 percent. Check your filter once a month during the winter. If you can’t see through it, clean or replace it.

Change your bedding weekly. Your bed is a dust collector. Wash your bedding once a week, and give your bedspread, blankets and pillows a good shake outdoors.

Institute a no-shoes policy.  Ask guests to take shoes off at the door to to prevent dust, pesticides and other pollutants from being tracked through your home.

Seal your ducts. Leaky air ducts let let dust and other indoor toxins – including methane and carbon monoxide into your home.  They also reduce the efficiency of your heating system by up to 20 percent. Inspect your ducts for leaks using mastic duct sealant and mesh tape to patch holes.

Water, Water, Everywhere?

Although 75 percent of the Earth is covered with water, less than 1 percent of that is fresh and readily available to humans. Luckily, saving water at home involves only modest changes-so start conserving this precious resource today.

Getting ready for that outdoor party? Clean your garden produce in a bowl of water, not under running water. Tidy patios, walkways and other outdoor spaces with a broom, not a hose.

Green Living Tip Skip antibacterial soaps. They aren’t better than regular soap in preventing household illness and traces of the soap can migrate into waterways and help to create strains of resistant bacteria.

Save Water – Wear an Apron

Vintage Aprons

A new generation has discovered the whimsy, charm and practicality of vintage aprons. They’re not only cute, they also serve an important purpose. They keep your clothes clean while you’re cooking. You’ll have less laundry which means using less water and detergent while helping the environment.

Aprons are comfortable, functional, fun and flirty. Recycle a vintage apron at the Little Apron Shop and be the hit of the party. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6952649

Reminder:  turn off the water when you brush your teeth.

6 simple ways you can make a difference for the planet

precycle

While recycling is great, precycling is better. Choose products that are minimally packaged or that create less waste – a two liter bottle of soda instead of a dozen single serving cans in a cardboard box. Other options, buy in bulk, skip the plastic bags, cancel catalogues you don’t read and buy products that aren’t over packaged.

buy local

Show your support for area farmers by purchasing regionally produced vegetables, fruits, eggs and meats at local farm stands and farmers’ markets.

park it

Pick two days a month to leave your car parked in the driveway. Walk, bike or take public transportation to work or run your errands.

watch the drain

Did you know that anything that runs down your driveway and into a storm drain – pesticides and fertilizers, soaps and solvents, antifreeze and motor oil eventually flows into your local waterways?

think native

When it comes to landscaping and gardening, choose native species. Selected by nature for your area, these plants are hardier and reuire less water and weeding that non-natives do.

be water wise

Use leftover cooking water to refresh houseplants, collect rainwater for garden plants, run the dishwasher only when full and fix any leaky faucets.